How to Become a Nurse Writer

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a freelance nurse writer? If you’re a nurse looking for a career change or an additional income stream, nurse writing could be the perfect opportunity for you. In this post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about becoming a nurse writer, including the daily tasks involved and how to break into this growing niche market.

What Is a Nurse Writer?

Nurse writers create written content with a healthcare focus, primarily topics with a direct connection to the nursing field. Nurse writing combines clinical nursing experience with the strong communication skills necessary to thrive in a fast-paced environment. This makes it the perfect job for ex-nurses who want to pursue a new career path and transfer their valuable real-world experience to the freelance writing market.

Studies show that the job market for freelance writers is expected to increase by 9% over the next 10 years. The median annual salary for nurse writers in the United States is $68,481. However, nurse writers can often command high rates due to their specialized skills and education. Some earn as much as $128,500 annually.

One reason first-rate nurse writers are so in demand is their ability to take high-level medical issues or current events in the health sphere and make them more accessible to a general audience. This allows patients (and anyone interested in healthcare news) to stay informed about significant medical developments and relevant issues. And due to their practical training and extensive health background, nurses are credible, authoritative, and relatable – essential qualities for successful freelance writers.

Types of Nurse Writing

There isn’t one single type of nurse writing – it can take many forms and vary in complexity, depending on the audience and publication. Some common forms of nurse writing are:

• Continuing professional development content: This includes training presentations for hospitals, textbook chapters, and course curriculums for nursing education. For example, check out this article on the history of American nursing education by Meg Lambrych, RN.
• Patient education materials: This includes brochures, pamphlets, and website content designed to help patients understand their conditions, treatments, and medications, such as this PDF on skin cancer treatments by the American Cancer Society.
• Technical writing: This includes clinical trial reports, regulatory documents, and academic content, such as the research published in the Clinical Nursing Journal.
• Marketing content: This includes social media content, newsletters, and content promoting products and services for healthcare organizations or pharmaceutical companies. For instance, check out these press releases by World Pharma Today. 
• Blog posts and articles: This includes content that focuses on pertinent healthcare issues and the latest advancements in nursing and patient care. For example, there’s a Canadian Nurses Association blog post by nurse writer Emily Durant on decreasing inappropriate red blood cell transfusion practices. Or, check out this Nurse Journal article on mandated staffing ratios by Gayle Morris, MSN.

What Does a Nurse Writer Do?

Nurse writers’ responsibilities can vary depending on the type of content they create and their specific role within an organization. For example, medical content writing for a hospital looks very different from blogging for a nonprofit organization. However, most nurse writers have the following tasks in common, no matter the type of writing they do:

• Communicating with their clients: For example, they may send emails, host video calls, and prepare and sign freelance writing contracts.
• Researching relevant health topics: For example, they may read relevant blogs, healthcare publications, and academic journals to stay updated on the latest medical research, guidelines, and trends.
• Writing and editing their content: This involves producing content that’s tailored to their target audience.
• Collaborating with healthcare professionals and researchers: This allows nurse writers to confirm facts or obtain quotes for their content.
• Fact-checking all information: Nurse writers must check that all statements are accurate and evidence-based and adhere to industry standards.
• Optimizing content for search engines: To increase visibility and reach, nurse writers must use effective SEO techniques, such as conducting keyword research and writing meta descriptions.

How to Become a Nurse Writer

Sharpen Your Writing Skills

As a nurse writer, it’s essential to have detailed knowledge of the nursing industry and the current issues impacting today’s healthcare system. However, to effectively communicate that knowledge to a wide audience, you need strong content writing skills. This includes things like:

• Knowing how to tailor your message to a specific audience: For example, use plain English and avoid jargon for audiences without medical knowledge.
• Being able to proofread your own writing: Remove any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. Mistakes look unprofessional and could damage your credibility.
• Being able to edit your own writing: Improve sentence structure, syntax, and rhythm. All of these contribute to producing an engaging, clear piece of writing.

To sharpen your writing abilities, you could consider taking a writing course or enrolling in a professional development program.

And remember – practice makes perfect! Practice writing different types of content, such as long-form articles, blog posts, and social media posts. Reach out to healthcare organizations and nonprofits to guest post or volunteer your services. Along with building your collection of samples, these connections may help you land paying clients in the future.

Build a Portfolio

Use your sample pieces, guest posts, or personal blog to begin building an online freelance writing portfolio. There are lots of different portfolio hosting sites that make it straightforward to share your work with potential clients (especially if you’re not a tech wizard). Consider what you want your personal brand to look like, and use this to shape your website.

Create a Resume

Create a freelance writer resume that highlights your experience. As a nurse writer, your nursing education and experience are just as valuable as your paid writing experience, so be sure to include your related degrees and employment background.

Network and Market Yourself

Networking and marketing yourself as a nurse writer is a great way to make connections and learn how to navigate the industry. Join professional organizations, such as the American Medical Writers Association, attend writing conferences, and use Linkedin to connect with other aspiring and experienced nurse writers. You may even find a freelance mentor!

Look for Nurse Writer Jobs

You can search for job opportunities on general employment websites, such as Indeed, and freelance marketplaces, such as Upwork. It’s also a good idea to look into specialist job boards like Registered Nursing Jobs and professional organizations like the American Medical Writers Association. Keywords to use in your job search include “nurse writer jobs,” “freelance nurse writer jobs,” and “health content writer.”

You can also cold email potential clients – find a healthcare organization, look for a relevant contact on their website or LinkedIn profile, and send them a pitch with a link to your work. Consider using an email template to streamline the process (especially if you’re sending out multiple emails a day). Some publications, such as the John Hopkins Nursing Magazine, allow guest contributions and list a contact email or form directly on their website.

Becoming A Freelance Writer

Are you interested in learning more about how to find your niche as a freelance writer and start a rewarding new career path? Check out our comprehensive Becoming A Freelance Writer course – it teaches you everything you need to know about launching your freelance writing business, including how to find clients and create an attention-grabbing online portfolio. Claim your two free lessons and get started learning today!